Protecting the Future Project

In February 2019, CNN carried out a documentary, on child labour/slavery on the Volta Lake, which highlighted harrowing experiences of children as young as 4 years old. As a child centric organization, this touched us deeply and got us thinking of how best we can engage other stakeholders to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in Ghana.

We discovered that, while taking actions to cure and prevent the menace, it would take holistic interventions to solve the problem. These interventions include: rescuing trafficked children; reducing the vulnerability of families through increased access to education; economic empowerment as well as law enforcement strategies through strengthening the capacities of communities, families and duty bearers such as the Police, Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Education Service, the Judiciary at the local level to effectively address child labour and child trafficking issues.

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"After my father died, my mother sold me into slavery. I really don’t know the amount she sold me for. I was very sad. The place I was taken to was very bushy and wasn’t ideal for human settlements. They maltreated me, I wasn’t fed well; and there was no proper shelter provided. Even when I was sick no one took me to the hospital. I am happy that SOS Children’s Villages rescued me and put me into apprenticeship. One day, I hope to teach others so that they will not suffer what I went through!"

Teye

Poverty - main cause of child trafficking

Poverty and economic factors are major contributors to child labour and trafficking in Ghana, where families struggle to provide basic needs and children are forced to work to support the households. Limited access to healthcare and education further escalates the issue. Despite laws in place to combat child labour and trafficking, enforcement is mostly nonexistent due to funding. Most state agencies tasked with implementing these child welfare policies are not adequately resourced.

Rescuing trafficked children ensures that their fundamental rights to education, health, protection from harm, and freedom from exploitation are upheld. We are not only protecting the rights of these children but also contributing our quota to ending exploitation and abuse, preventing long-term consequences, investing into the future of these children. At the same time, raising awareness and strengthening the capacities of CSOs and other stakeholders on existing laws and policies, which will in the end break the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

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At the local level, we work with the Police to carry out rescue operations, District Assemblies, Departments of Social Welfare, for reintegration. We build the capacities of community-based organizations and national organizations working towards elimination child labour.

Community information centres are carrying out messages on the negative effects of labour and trafficking on a child’s mental health and development.

"My mother’s boyfriend who wasn’t working sold me to a woman in Cote d’Ivoire for 600 Ghana Cedis. I was rescued and brought back to Senya Beraku. He started beating me up because I refused to stay with the woman. Through the help of SOS Children’s Villages, I am learning a trade now. I pray to the Almighty God to see me through the trade I am learning so I can support my little siblings. My mother is aging, and she doesn’t have the strength to work.".

Stephanie

So far, 149 children have been rescued. 94 have been rehabilitated and reintegrated. 45 are still going through rehabilitation. 100 caregivers received grant support ranging between GH₵1,500.00 and GH₵5,000.00 to start up their businesses. They were taken through lessons in financial literacy and small-business management to sharpen the financial and managerial acumen. The formation of Village Saving and Loans Associations and Income Generation Activity training received have improved the financial situation because they have access to funds with the lowest interest rates to grow their enterprises and continue to meet the children's basic necessities. They now have bank accounts, to encourage the habit of saving to sustain their businesses. For now, most of them are able to provide basic school needs such as uniforms, footwear, improved sanitation and nutritious food for their families.

Transparency

Endowment fund

Protecting

The

Future